Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis, rear, is congratulated by Nate Robinson after Ellis hit the game-winning basket against the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, in Phoenix. The Warriors won 106-104.

The Warriors had no business winning that game in Phoenix on Wednesday. Every shot down the stretch was a low-percentage adventure, often from long range, while the Suns' Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye pitched a tent about 2 feet from the basket and feasted at will. Fundamentally, it was a grotesque mismatch.

And yet, the Warriors won that game. Their center dilemma is a joke, Stephen Curry can't stay healthy, and until this week, they had no idea how to finish games - but in the wake of victories over the Clippers and Suns, fans are asking: Can the Warriors make the playoffs?

It's their only path to salvation, that's for certain. They aren't terrible enough to finish among the NBA's seven worst teams, which - barring a draft lottery aberration - is the only way they'd be able to keep their No. 1 draft pick, so forget that. Draft day will be a miserable, frustrating experience.

You might say it's rather bleak goal to finish No. 8 in the West and get blown out of the playoffs by the top seed (probably Oklahoma City), but for coach Mark Jackson and owner Joe Lacob, it's a massive step just to join the party.

It seems that the top six slots will belong to Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, the Lakers and Clippers, in some order. Memphis is expecting Zach Randolph's return from knee surgery in early March, making a solid team complete. So who's vulnerable among the Warriors' competitors for No. 8?

All of them, actually. Portland (18-16) is having some chemistry problems and isn't that scary. Injuries have forced Denver (18-17) way off the tracks. Minnesota (17-17) dazzles with Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio but is wildly inconsistent. Utah (15-17) really is just another stop along the NBA's endless road, and it's doubtful anyone in Phoenix (14-20) has even considered the playoffs.

The Warriors hit the All-Star break at 13-17, constantly weighing the notion of trading Monta Ellis and/or David Lee (Curry has minimal value right now; too fragile). But they've got spirit and belief, and lately they've had results. I wouldn't place any bets on their playoff worthiness, but it's not as far-fetched as it may sound.